by Screwloose

Created on: February 21, 2009

We as a nation have not given our homeless any choice but to take refuge in a homeless shelter. Stop and think about the thousands and thousands of people around the country, especially the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, searching the streets day and night for their next meal. Sometimes these people wouldn't get a meal if it weren't for homeless shelters.

While I don't believe that homeless shelters are the answer to the homelessness issue, we as America have not given the homeless much of a choice. Look at the billions of dollars going to banks alone,all of the government agencies. Just look at all of the money. Take some of that money and help the homeless. If they need clothes, buy them some. If they need psychiatric help, give it to them. We are enabling th majority of the homeless to remain in homeless shelters. Somehow we have money to keep building homeless shelters instead of finding ways to get the homeless off the street for good.

These people need our help. Can we honestly look the homeless children in the eyes and tell them ' Sorry, you are destined to live your life on the street and in shelter for the rest of your life?' Stop and think, how do the homeless get out of the cycle? Some lose their homes, their jobs and end up on the streets. Others lose everything they own through divorce. The reasons can go on and on.

My point, a homeless person is on the streets without a way to shower, some wearing the only clothes they own. Can we expect them to walk into a business and ask for employment? Grant it, there are shelters that offer showers, help with psychiatric issues and many other services that help a homeless man or woman. The problem with those shelters is that they only accept so many people, so that leaves the rest of the state without assistance.

There are so many homeless people that need help with their children. How do these people get food for their children? What about milk? We are not looking at the whole picture when we try to judge whether homeless shelters are the answer to the homelessness issue. If it weren't for these shelters, many of these people would just die .

Have you ever wondered how all of these homeless people out there even find the shelters? One thing I find that helps me to have compassion for all of these homeless people is to put myself hypothetically in their situation. Just imagine for one moment what it would be like for you to be homeless without any shelter. Then look in the eye's of the children and tell them that the shelters are not the answer for them. Then what do they do? Homeless shelters are not the answer to the homelessness issue, but does society have a choice?

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